Hale and Klang receive Blessis Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award

Drs. Andrew Hale and Eric Klang are the winners of this year’s George H. Blessis Outstanding Undergraduate Advisor Award, given by the College of Engineering at North Carolina State University.

Hale is a professor, associate head and coordinator of undergraduate academic programs for the Department of Biological and Agricultural Engineering. Klang is an associate professor and faculty advisor in the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.

The award, given during the College’s spring faculty meeting on April 29, recognizes faculty members who consistently and willingly give their time and effort to advising, counseling and mentoring students and assisting student groups. It is also a continuing memorial to George H. Blessis, a faculty member whose interest in undergraduate education and advising serves as an example today.

Candidates are nominated by departments and selected by the College of Engineering Teaching and Advising Awards Committee. The awardee receives $1,000 and a certificate and the recipient’s name is engraved on a permanent plaque displayed in Page Hall, the administrative building for the College of Engineering.

Hale has been a part of the NC State faculty for 21 years. He was also a recipient of the Blessis Award in 2009.

He received three degrees in agricultural engineering, a bachelor’s from the University of Georgia, a master’s from Texas A&M University, and a Ph.D. from Clemson University.

Klang has been a part of the NC State faculty for more than 28 years. He was a recipient of the Blessis Award in 1992 and 2001, Academy of Outstanding Teachers Award in 1990, Alumni Association Outstanding Teacher Award in 1990 and SAE Ralph Teetor Engineering Education Award in 1989.

He received his bachelor’s and master’s in mechanical and aerospace engineering from the University of Missouri and his Ph.D. in engineering mechanics from Virginia Polytechnic Institute.

Klang was not able to attend the spring faculty meeting. His award was accepted on his behalf by Dr. Richard Gould, head of the Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering.